CANADIAN TECHNOLOGY
cost reductions due to zero emissions and lower heat generation; lower total energy consumption, leading to improved operational efficiency; regulatory and environmental compliance, reducing the risk of future restrictions on diesel-powered equipment; and better working conditions for miners, improving workforce retention and productivity.
Kovatera offers purpose-built electric mining vehicles designed for underground operations, it says providing zeroemission solutions without compromising performance. The KT300e is a batteryelectric mining utility truck designed for underground transportation of personnel and materials. It provides a reliable and sustainable alternative to diesel-powered mining trucks. The KM200e is a batteryelectric underground mining tractor built for material handling in confined spaces. With its all-electric drivetrain, it eliminates diesel emissions, supports efficient underground logistics, and contributes to smoother mining operations.
NLT’ s new Aries and Aries Flex cap lamps
For more than four decades, Torontoheadquartered Northern Light Technologies says it has set the global standard in underground lighting.“ From the iconic Polaris to the Genesis, the world’ s first Smart shifts.” Aries includes four lighting modes to adapt to changing work conditions: Focused Spot- NLT’ s traditional high-intensity beam; Wide-Angle Flood- a flat, even light ideal for close work; Dual-Beam- combining both patterns for outstanding peripheral visibility; and Low-Light / Emergency Setting- for controlled light output when needed.
“ This flexibility allows workers to instantly choose the most effective light pattern for the task or terrain. Built for demanding environments, Aries is IP67-rated and features fully serviceable components, including the battery. This extends lamp life, reduces total cost of ownership and cuts down on waste. It 13-hour minimum discharge time ensures dependable, full-shift performance.”
If Aries sets the standard for cordless lighting, then NLT says Aries Flex sets the standard for intelligent safety.“ As the smallest, brightest and lightest Smart Cap Lamp available today, Aries Flex is purposebuilt for operations requiring integrated tracking, proximity detection and real-time communication. The lamp delivers the same 17,000 Lux dual-beam capability as Aries along with powerful smart features.”
Aries Flex is designed to accommodate either a wireless tracking tag, or a proximity detection tag. Both are powered directly by the lamp’ s rechargeable battery, eliminating disposable batteries and ensuring the tag is always on the worker.“ With compatibility spanning most major global providers, mines can seamlessly integrate Aries Flex into existing safety systems.”
It adds that one of Aries Flex’ s standout capabilities is its set of programmable white, amber and blue LEDs. These can be configured for safety alerts, proximity warnings, operational signals or status notifications, either individually or in coordinated flash sequences. These colour- coded alerts add an entirely new layer of awareness underground.
For dynamic, two-way safety communication, Aries Flex features a front-mounted programmable push button, allowing workers to acknowledge warnings, send man-down alerts or trigger notifications. The lamp also supports overthe-air( OTA) firmware updates, keeping fleets current without removing units from service.
Like Aries, all components of the Flex, including the battery, are fully serviceable, improving fleet longevity and sustainability.“ For existing NLT users, upgrading is simple: current chargers can be updated to fit Aries and Aries Flex charger housings, available in single-, 10-, 40-, and 80-unit configurations. All configurations maintain lockable charger housing options for security and operational control.”
Ambra Solutions delivers LTE and 5G for New Afton
The New Afton copper-gold mine, one of the two primary operations of Canadian mining company New Gold, is undergoing a groundbreaking digital transformation. Leveraging an advanced LTE and 5G network deployed by Ambra Solutions, New Afton Ambra says“ is set to redefine efficiency, safety, and automation in one of the world’ s most complex mining environments.”
For this project, Ambra used an Athonet private LTE / 5G network core – Athonet is now part of Hewlett Packard Enterprise( HPE) and provides specialised private 5G and LTE network solutions for mission critical environments including mining. This was combined with Ericsson radio stations.
Located just 10 km west of Kamloops, British Columbia, New Afton operates beneath the historic Afton open pit mine, producing approximately 63,000 oz of gold
NLT’ s Aries includes four lighting modes to adapt to changing work conditions
Cap Lamp, NLT’ s products have earned a reputation for performance, durability and user-focused innovation. Now NLT is entering a new era.”
It is introducing Aries and Aries Flex, two cap lamps that it says redefine what’ s possible in cordless lighting and smart safety communication underground.“ Designed as the successor to Polaris Plus and Rebel Plus, the new Aries excels in every category that matters- brightness, durability, ergonomics and value. Its primary LED provides 17,000 Lux, almost double the output of Polaris Plus, in a housing that is smaller, lighter and low-profile to reduce neck strain during long
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The New Afton mine is now leveraging an advanced LTE and 5G network deployed by Ambra Solutions
International Mining | APRIL 2026